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Welcome to The Lamplighter, the official newsletter of Scouting America in the W. D. Boyce Council!

This edition of The Lamplighter is being sent to EVERY leader and family in the W. D. Boyce Council

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Have a question, idea or something you want to see in a future issue? Please email Ian Lamb, Council Field Director, at ian.lamb@scouting.org

Upcoming Events

Scouting America Night @ Peoria Rivermen

📅Friday, November 21

🕛Puck Drops @ 7:00 PM

📍Peoria Civic Center

💲$18 Tickets

❗Custom Rivermen Patch, Special Post Game Autograph Session, & MORE!



Genealogy Merit Badge Day

📅 Saturday, December 13

🕛12:00 - 4:00 PM

📍Our Saviour Lutheran Church - Bloomington, IL

💲$10 per Scout / $15 after December 3 (paid in full)

❗Maximum number of Scouts: 20 (2 remaining)



Scouting America Night @ Bloomington Bison

📅Saturday, January 10

🕛Puck Drops @ 7:15 PM

📍Grossinger Motors Arena

💲$18 Tickets

❗Custom Bison Patch, Scout Night Sleepover, & MORE!



Plumbing Merit Badge Day

📅 Saturday, January 17

🕛8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

📍UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 99

💲$25 per Scout / $30 after January 5 (paid in full)

❗Maximum number of Scouts: 25 (23 remaining)

Wotamalo/Heartland Klondike Derby

📅January 23 - 25, 2026

📍Camp Wokanda

💲20 (paid in full by Jan 12)

❗Leader's Guide

Crossroads/Lowaneu Klondike Derby

📅January 23 - 24, 2026

📍Logan County Fairgrounds

💲$15 (paid in full by Jan 12)

❗Leader's Guide

Who’s Ready for Some Outdoor Adventure?

BALOO (Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation) is open to all Cub Scout leaders interested in adding a camping component to their Pack activities. Scouting America's Cub Scout level camping policies will be taught along with the discovery of the necessary tools to help units carry our a successful camping experience. Completion of this course is mandatory for a MINIMUM OF ONE adult on a Pack overnighter.

IOLS (Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills) provides Scouts BSA leaders the practical outdoor skills they need to lead Scouts in the outdoors. Upon completion, leaders should feel comfortable teaching Scouts the basic skills required to obtain the First Class rank. Along with Scoutmaster Specifics, this course is required of all direct-contact leaders registered in Scouts BSA Troops in order to be considered “trained.”

Next Training

📅January 10 -11, 2026

📍Ingersoll Scout Reservation

💵$40 per leader

❗Limited to 35 Attendees per course

Save the Date for Upcoming Cub Scout Yukons

Cub Scouts love winter time fun, too! And the Yukon is a great way for your pack to spend time outdoors and having Scouting fun together! Check out the link below for upcoming Yukon events in Crossroads and Lowaneu on January 31, 2026:

Scout Sunday Patches Now Available

Scouting America allows chartered organizations to celebrate Scout Sunday on any day in February that best serves the chartering partner. Some organizations choose the Sunday that falls before February 8 (Scouting Anniversary Day) as the date to recognize the contributions of young people and adults to Scouting. For others, Scout Sunday is celebrated on the second Sunday in February. It is permissible for a local church to celebrate on the day most acceptable to the pastor and congregation.

Save The Date for the 2026 Merit Badge University!

Merit Badge University at the Peoria Riverfront Museum will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Our volunteer team is putting the finishing touches on registration, which will open Friday, December 5, 2025. Stay tuned for more details and get ready to register your Scouts!

Support Local Scouting!

Join W. D. Boyce Council in shaping the future! Your support powers Camperships, reaches at-risk youth, keeps programs affordable, and ensures trained leaders and thriving camps. Every dollar builds a stronger Scouting experience.

BECOME A SCOUTING HERO!

Your gift of $115 or more makes you a hero to Scouting! To celebrate, you will receive a limited-edition W. D. Boyce Council "I'm a Scouting Hero!" Council Shoulder Patch (CSP).

ONLY 50 LEFT!

This season, the W. D. Boyce Council is excited to offer beautiful live holiday wreaths, complete with LED lights and an EZ wreath hanger—a perfect way to bring warmth and festive cheer to your home.

Every wreath purchased directly supports local Scouting and helps fuel unforgettable Scout adventures throughout our communities. Your holiday decoration becomes more than décor—it becomes an investment in leadership, character, and outdoor experiences for our youth.

Join us in Honoring Advanced Medical Transport!

Scouting America, W. D. Boyce Council proudly honors Advanced Medical Transport (AMT) with the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award for their exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to Scouting values.

Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner

📅 December 13, 2025

🕔 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

📍 Jump Trading Simulation & Education Center

For more than 30 years, AMT has been a trusted partner in health and safety—providing advanced prehospital care, operating the 211 Helpline, supporting veterans through Honor Flight, and collaborating with local agencies to strengthen emergency response. 

Help us celebrate AMT’s powerful example of “Be Prepared” and “Do a Good Turn Daily!"

Thanks for reading and for your support of Scouting!